eat right for life

In today’s world of instant communication and gratification, it is in my opinion that everyone is on information overload, especially when it comes to facts about health. For any questions that arise there are a multitude of opinions with regard to answers. There is a litany of conflicting do’s and don’ts and it is no wonder we’re all confused on what’s best.

You want the quick fix – instant gratification to feel better, look better and be better. But does that really exist? There’s a plethora of information out there but how do you know what’s true and really works versus what simply offers false hope?

Recently, I co-chaired a Wellness Initiatives in MS strategy meeting launching the National MS Society’s Wellness Initiative for 2015 – 2018 that is in response to their constituency wanting to place a greater emphasis on dietary and lifestyle approaches to creating greater health in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The deliberations were lively and thought-provoking and the range of viewpoints made for a rich and productive meeting. This was a challenging meeting both with a very ambitious agenda and a diverse group in attendance. Participants’ expertise and insight have provided critical information to helping draft a roadmap for next steps with regard to wellness initiatives.

One of the primary concerns addressed was the question, “If something is found to be beneficial for health overall, is it therefore advantageous for MS health?” The consensus was a resounding, “Not necessarily.” If you read any message board on social media and/or follow more than one person who shares their experience with MS, you will have a multitude of opinions on what you should do, how you need to treat your illness, in addition to what you absolutely should not do. Are any of these opinions based in fact? Very few viewpoints, if any, are grounded in scientific proof.

While focusing on diet, exercise and cognition/mood, we talked about how to translate strategy into action; how to garner clear, measurable outcomes; impact on disease progression and/or the patient; quality of life; partnerships and advocacy; creating tool kits; barriers such as cost, effectiveness, adherence, and funding; as well as gaps in knowledge. As a first step toward new research endeavors, it is hoped to try to end the information overload when it comes to MS and wellness strategies giving people solid information upon which to base their treatment decisions. In the meantime, I base what I do for myself on how I feel. If the protocols I follow keep me feeling well (which they do), then I continue to do them.

I come at life in general from an integrative perspective. While I believe it is imperative to do as the doctor recommends with regard to prescribed medication, I also know that exercise, nutrition/diet, and cognition all play a vital role in my overall wellbeing. This is why I try to do some form of movement every day. Typically I practice yoga twice a week (one restorative, one gentle), do strength training twice a week, and walk 30-40 minutes at a brisk pace 4-5 times per week. There are days I can do it all and there are days I can only muster enough energy to do one activity. Sometimes all I do is clean the house. Either way, I move every day and always congratulate myself on my accomplishment. What do you do for exercise? Do you consider movement and exercise one in the same?

With regard to diet and nutrition, there is way too much unproven information out there. From all of my own research, I find that simply as a human being who wants to live healthy, a diet rich in real, unprocessed foods is best. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits along with organic lean proteins seems to be the closest to a natural diet. And when taking my MS into consideration, I attempt to follow a Mediterranean diet that offers anti-inflammatory properties. Because MS is an inflammatory disease, it makes sense to eat foods that will help decrease or minimize inflammation. What type of diet do you follow? Or do you consider diet a 4-letter word?

When it comes to cognition/mood, I definitely have what is commonly referred to as MS brain. My short-term memory is quite poor no matter how hard I concentrate. Certain parts of my memory are simply gone since the initial onset of my disease. With the help of medication and a strong spiritual practice, I have become more present to the moment which definitely helps to improve my memory. A spirituality practice helps aid in keeping the brain healthy and engaged; creating new and healthy neuropathways. What is your spiritual practice, if any?

If you notice, I’ve offered no suggestions for what you should do; only suggestions of things to consider when deciding upon a lifestyle to create. Life is a journey, hopefully a long one, and you want to keep it the healthiest possible. After all, you only have one place to live and that’s your body. Take care of it and nurture it so you can be present, be purposeful and be well.

The party will last for 12 days only and your participation is essential to the success of my book’s initial release as well as to help promote my mission to engage, motivate and inspire people to embrace a life of wellness.

Please come and participate with me! Feel free to share this email so your friends can join in the fun too!

How often do you feel tired and stressed beyond your limit?

Do you struggle to balance the demands of work and family?

Are you rundown finding yourself restless, living on fast food, and often getting sick?

If you’re an aging Baby Boomer, have a chronic medical challenge or serious illness, isn’t it time to invest in yourself and commit to your health?

Live in Wellness Now is an interactive, holistic journal designed to help you alleviate stress and improve your health.

The Virtual Book Launch Party is something I created so you can help me celebrate the debut of my new book and help me rise in the amazon.com rankings so others see my book too. Everyone is welcome to participate so please share this announcement with your friends! Stop by the party for some virtual refreshments and to learn more about my book.

Are you someone who catches colds frequently? Do you pride yourself on “never getting sick” yet in reality you ought to own stock in Kleenex? Not everyone is blessed with a strong immune system. However, there are ways to strengthen it, especially during the change in seasons.

Let’s clear up a misconception first. Weather does not make you sick. Germs make you sick. Being confined indoors most of the winter exposes you to many more germs than when you are frequently outdoors during the summer months. It is also important to note that when the weather changes, it may add stress to your immune system thereby compromising your health if you don’t put some effort into de-stressing your immune system.

Here is a list of easy tips to help you stay healthy during the change of seasons:

Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Without realizing it, you touch your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands all the time. If they are not clean, you are spreading germs.

When you sneeze or cough, do so into the crook of your elbow. This prevents your germs from spreading to those around you and exposing them. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.

As much as you may think you are being loving, stop hugging and kissing everyone. You do not know who might be sick and this only spreads illness.

Get enough sleep. When you sleep your body and immune system regenerate and repair.

Stay hydrated. Consuming the proper amount of water keeps your immune system strong.

Try to get fresh air whenever you possibly can. Even on a cold day, crack your car window just a touch to let in the fresh air and allow any germs to escape.

Exercise and eat healthfully. This keeps your body in robust condition to ward off viruses.

By taking time every day to focus on your health you will actually decrease the likelihood of catching a cold or virus.

Last month I talked about your “primary” food. Today I’d like to discuss your “secondary” food. Secondary food is the actual food you put in your mouth. I would use the term “diet” although it has unfortunately earned a bad rap. People tend the think of “diet” in terms of deprivation in order to lose weight and may even equate it to a 4-letter word. In actuality, “diet” refers to a manner of living as applied to the food and drink we regularly consume for nourishment.

So what is the proper “diet” for one to have? Our government confuses us with first the Food Pyramid, then a revised version of it, and now My Plate. Neither shows the vast options of healthy eating depending on each individual’s needs. Both push whatever food the government is currently helping to subsidize, whether truly healthy or not. So how do you know what you should eat? The simple answer is talk to your doctor, a registered dietician or a certified nutritionist. They can review your habits and health history, taking into consideration your current health goals, and construct an eating plan that is customized to you.

It seems there is a current trend toward doing cleanses. It is very important to consult your physician before attempting any such thing. Keep in mind our bodies need a certain amount of bacteria in our guts to be healthy. Some of the popular cleanses out there remove everything, including the good stuff. And, although you may lose weight while on a cleanse, chances are you will gain it back immediately. So, in my opinion, this is not good a long-term weight loss/control strategy. You’re better off eating real, unprocessed foods with an emphasis on fresh (organic when possible) vegetables and fruit in addition to hormone-free, antibiotic-free protein.

There are so many quick-fixes offered to us for weight loss, muscle enhancement, increased energy, etc. The best is to find what works for you. There is no one, cookie-cutter system that will work for everyone. Take into consideration your weight, height, overall health, daily exercise regime, and anything else that influences your wellness before choosing a strategy that best fits your needs. List your goals and limitations; consult a professional; and if for any reason whatever you chose feels wrong to you, by all means stop! You know your body best so listen to it. When it’s right for you, you will enjoy a healthy, well-balanced diet that will have a positive influence on your life.